Highlights

The price is based on 2 persons in a private tour for 4star hotel

●  Glimpse the world’s oldest edition of the Koran in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s huge Soviet-era capital.

●  Central Asia is a fascinating and unique mix of ancient Silk Road culture and Soviet influence sights of Bishkek.

●  Passing by the Silk Road-era minaret of Burana to Issyk Kul, a huge alpine lake fringed by the snow capped mountains of the Tian Shan.

ITINERARY Close All

Day 1Bishkek City Tour, Explore the Ala Archa Gorge

Your guide will pick you up at Manas International Airport and accompany you to the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, just a 30-minute drive from the airport. The first half of the day is dedicated to a guided tour of Bishkek. It includes visiting Pobeda Square (Victory Square), Duboviy Park (Oak Park), Central Ala-Too Square, Old Square, National Philharmonic, and many others places of interest. 

In the afternoon we will visit Ala Archa gorge. It is a Natural Park. At the Soviet Time only V.I.P. people had permission to go for a walk here. The Ala Archa gorge is on a spur of the Tien Shan mountain range. It is just 45 km from Bishkek. You can have a short hiking tour to see a panoramic view of the gorge. 

Afterwards we return to Bishkek. This overnight will be in a hotel. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Bishkek
Altitude: 800m
  • Pobeda Square

  • Ala-too Square

Day 2Visit Burana Tower, then drive to Chon Kemin

Today you will be transferred to Chon Kemin gorge. On route to the gorge you will visit Burana Tower (an 11th century minaret) and an open air museum of Balbals (stone warriors). After an interesting excursion and climbing on the top of the tower is transfer to Chon Kemin gorge. 

In the afternoon we will have 3 hours of horse riding. Your route will go high in the mountains and you will even ride horses through a mountain forest. On the top you will see the panorama view of the gorge. The night will be in a home stay.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in a home stay
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 800m
  • Burana Tower

  • Stone Warrior

Day 3Explore the Issyk Kul lake northern shore, then drive to Karakol

Today you will drive to the celestial Issyk Kul Lake, the second largest alpine lake in the world (1608 m above sea level). The lake is called "the pearl of Central Asia". For more than 1 500 years local people considered the lake to be a sacred one. You can come up to the lake and to see mountains all around it. 

Today you will drive along the whole northern shore and arrive to Karakol town. Also we will visit today a place with ancient stone patterns – petroglyphs. In Karakol we will visit the Dungan mosque. It was built in Chinese style without using a single nail. It will be followed by the visit of an old wooden Orthodox Church. Night is in a guesthouse. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1309m
  • Issyk Kul Lake

  • Issykul Lake

Day 4Drive to Jeti Oguz and visit the traditional Kochkor village

Today we will drive to Jeti Oguz gorge. It's famous for its red rocks formations that have a name Seven Bulls – Jeti Oguz. Also you will see there the Broken Heart Mountain. If you want it is possible to go on a top of a mountain (20 minutes) to see a panorama view of the gorge. 

Then we continue our trip, breaking in Bokonbaeva village, where we will meet a local eagle-hunter. He hunts hares and foxes with the help of eagles (a traditional way of nomadic hunting). When we arrive at Kochkor village you will meet a family who will show you how to make national woolen felt carpets. Night is in a home stay. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in home stay
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 1309m
  • Kochkor Village

  • Jeti Oguz Gorge

Day 5Enjoy the second largest Son Kul Lake

After breakfast we start our drive to the second largest lake in Kyrgyzstan – Son Kul Lake. This lake is surrounded by mountains and it is the highest alpine lake in Kyrgyzstan, situated at an altitude of 3013 meters above sea level. Kyrgyz nomads started to come to this wonderful area with their families for rest and relaxation. Herders of the Naryn region come to the lake to use it as a pastureland. 

After our arrival, you will be free to explore and enjoy the virgin nature of the lake and its surroundings. Overnight is in nomadic collapsible dwellings - yurts. They are made of a wooden skeleton, covered with felt coverings.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in yurt
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 2037m
  • Son Kul Lake

  • Son Kul Lake

Day 6Drive to Bishkek, See panoramic views of Tue Ashuu pass

After meeting with locals, we will drive to the capital of Kyrgyzstan – Bishkek city. The road to the city goes through the southern part of Kyrgyzstan. During your transfer be prepared for amazing views of impressive mountains and gorges. 

Today you will see panoramic views of Tue Ashuu pass which is more than 3000 meters high! This road is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Kyrgyzstan. You will have many photo stops so that you will remember this day. Fantastic roads, amazing views, nomads, high mountains; ensure your memories of Kyrgyzstan will last a lifetime. Night is in a hotel. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Bishkek
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 800m
  • Bishkek

  • Bishkek

Day 7Fly to Urgench, then Khiva city tour

In the morning is transfer to airport for your flight to Tashkent. Upon arrival you will have a further local flight to Urgench. 

Meet your guide and city tour in Khiva: At the first half of the day, you are going to visit the oldest part of the city - Kunya-Ark fortress, including Kurinish Khana (17c); Mohammed-Amin-Khan (19c) Madrassah, Islam Khodja Minaret; Palvan-Kari complex, Abd Al Bobo complex (18c), Rafanek Madrassah, Mohammed Rakim Khan (19 c) Amir-Tur Madrassah, and Sho-I-Kalandar Bobo Mausoleum. 

After lunch you will see Mazary Sharif Madrassah, Kheivak  well (10c), Uch Avlioli («three saints») Mausoleum, Jami Mosque (18c), Kutluq-Murad Inaq (19c) Madrassah, and Pakhlavan Mahmoud Mausoleum. Night is in the hotel.

Traffic: Flight+Car
Hotel: Overnight in Khiva
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 109m
  • Kunya-ark Fortress

  • Lesley In Khiva

Day 8Drive to Bukhara, Free time

Early in the morning we will have transfer to a fascinating city of Bukhara.  With its more than 140 architectural monuments Bukhara is a "town museum" dating back to the Middle Ages. The city consists of narrow streets, green parks and gardens, historical and architectural monuments belong to different epochs, but locate very close to each other. The road from Khiva to Bukhara goes through famous Kizilkum desert. On the way we will enjoy the view to Amu Darya river, the deepest river in Central Asia, formed by the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh in Tajikistan) and flowing into Aral See. 

Upon arrival in Buchara you will have free time. Night is in a hotel. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 2300m
  • Buhara

  • Lesley In Buhara

Day 9Bukhara City Tour

Full day will be dedicated to a city tour in Bukhara with your your local guide. Today you will visit Ismael Samani mausoleum (9–10c) – vault of Bukhara rulers' dynasty, Chor-Minor, Chashma-Ayub Mausoleums (14 c), and Bukhara local bazaar

In Old Bukhara you are going to see Poli-Kalon ensemble including Minaret (12c) , Mosque (15c), functioning Madrassah Miri-Arab (16 c) Amir- Alim-Khan Madrassah (14c), Taqi (trading domes), and Kukeldash Madrassah (16c). 

After lunch time you will see Lyab-i-Hauz (17c), Nadir Divanbegi (17c), Magoki Attari (16c), Ulug Beg (15c), Abdul Aziz (17c) Madrassahs as well as Registan Ensemble, Ark Fortress (16c) and Bolo-Hauz complex (18 c). Overnight is in the hotel.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Bukhara
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 2300m
  • Bolo-hauz Mosque

  • Lesley In Buhara

Day 10Visit pottery workshop at Gijducan Village, then drive to Samarkand

After the breakfast we will start our way to Samarkand – The pearl of the East. On the way, we will stop over at Gijduvan village to visit famous private pottery workshop, which was previously visited by Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Sir Charles and many of others. There we will have a chance to learn the history of pottery culture of Uzbekistan, short master class of pottery preparing and do buy the items you liked.

Afterwards continue drive to Samarkand. Upon arrival you will have check in to the hotel and overnight. 

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Samarkand
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 702m
  • Pottery Workshop

  • Gijduvan Village

Day 11Sarmarkand City Tour

Breakfast is in the hotel. Full day city tour of Samarkand: Registan square – the complex of three historical building: Madrasah Ulugbek (15th c.), Madrasah Sher-dor (17th c.), Madrasah Tilla-Kori (17th c.) – the visiting card and the main attraction spot of Samarkand. Architectural complex Shakhi-Zindeh (11-15th c.) - the name Shah-I-Zinda (meaning "the living king") comes together with the legend about Kusam Ibn Abbas, the cousin of the prophet Muhammad who was buried here. Mausoleum Guri Emir - Tamerlane's tomb (14-15th c.) - Gur-e Amir means "Tomb of the King". Bibi Khanum Mosque - name of the mosque translated as the "Elder wife" and it was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane's wife, after his successful campaign in India. Overnight is in the hotel.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Sarmarkand
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 702m
  • Registan Square

  • Bibi Khanum Mosque

Day 12Drive to Tashkent, then take a City Tour

Breakfast is in the hotel. In the morning you will drive to Tashkent (350 km, 4.5 hrs drive). Upon arrival there is a city tour in Tashkent including Independence square (Red square in former USSR, Main Square of the country). Broadway is walking street between independence square and Amir Timur square. Amir Timur square – one of the central squares of Tashkent, erected on behalf of national hero – Amir Timur. The square symbolizes sovereignty and power of Uzbek nation.

Tashkent metro is among the most beautiful subways in the world. First line was opened in 1977. Now the number of stations is 29 with 36.2 km long. Old city is an old part of Tashkent city, the area, which preserves the traditional Uzbek style: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukaldash Madrasah (16th.c) and Hast Imam complex – the Islamic heart of the country. Overnight is in the hotel.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: Overnight in Tashkent
Meals: Breakfast
Altitude: 455m
  • Independence Square

  • Lesley In Tashkent

Day 13Departure from Tashkent, End of the tour

After breakfast is transfer to Tashkent airport. you will catch the flight and back to your sweet home.

Traffic: Car
Hotel: No Accommodation
Meals: Breakfast

INCLUDES

  • Private transportation through out the itinerary. SRT will arrange for all travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure based on your flight info.

  • Shared accommodations in well located, tourist to superior class hotels include breakfast, service charge and government tax.

  • All entrance fees(shuttle bus) sightseeing; excursions and activities as per the itinerary

  • Domestic flights and 2nd class express train listed in the itinerary

  • Private friendly and professional English-Speaking guides (French, Italy, Russian, German can be arranged per your request)

  • Visa support letter for you to apply Chinese visa easily.

  • Travel and health insurance when travel with us.

  • 8, A 24/7 helpline while you are traveling.

EXCLUDES

  • International and domestic flights not indicated.

  • Food, Lunch or dinner not specified

  • Tips or gratuities for guides and drivers

  • Personal expenses and the other tours or activities not mentioned

TRIP NOTES

  • We will upgrade trains to 1st class where available if book the tour 5 months in advance of departure.

  • There is no problem to travel Silk Road during Ramadan.

  • Complimentary 2 bottles of water each person on daily use.

Transportation

We will use business MPV to luxurious coaches and trains.

Accommodation

All the hotels we selected are 4-5star well-located in the city center with good and proper breakfast for our clients.

Guides

Our guides are very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. And our group tours will be escorted from SRT.

Climate and Altitude

Generally speaking Mid March—End Oct are the best time to visit Silk Road. And we strongly suggest you come in May, June, October to avoid the heat and crowd. No need to worry about high altitude along the Silk Road. We will prepare Oxygen bags if the package includes Xiahe, Qinghai Lake and Taxkorgan County.

We offer beneficial Cancellation Policy to our customers.